Score guard overcap for full open ends



Dec. 31, 1968 F. J. sTEc SCORE GUARD OVERCAP FOR FULL OPEN ENDS Filed Nov. '7, 1967 INVENTOR FQEDERICKJSTEC.

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,419,181 SCORE GUARD OVERCAP FOR FULL OPEN ENDS Frederick J. Stec, Oak Lawn, Ill., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 7, 1967, Ser. No. 681,181 11 Claims. (Cl. 220-54) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to an overcap for full open easy opening containers. The overcap includes a rim which is telescoped over and interlocked with the usual seam between the container end and the container body. The overcap also includes a panel which is releasably interlocked with the rim. The rim includes an inner ring portion which rests against the end panel of the container end radially outwardly of a weakening line formed therein and with a radially inner surface of the inner ring portion bein-g aligned with the weakening lines whereby when a removable panel portion is torn from the end panel, the inner ring portion will also function as a guard for the resultant raw edge. In addition, the rim serves as a -fulcrum to facilitate the final tearing out of the removable panel portion.

overcaps. However, these overcaps have a sole function ,Y

of being a closure. In accordance with this invention, it is proposed to provide an overcap which has the usual function of a closure, but at the same time has additional beneficial functions.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided an overcap which is generally of a two-piece construction and which includes a rim and a panel, the panel being interlockable with the rim to cooperate therewith in forming a closure. The rim is of a construction to be telescoped over the usual seam between the container end and the container body and interlocked therewith. The rim is provided with an inner ring portion which bears against the end panel of the container and radially outwardly of a weakening line formed therein and having a radially inner surface generally aligned with the weakening line whereby the rim kfunctions as a guard for the resultant raw edge which forms durin-g the tearing out of the removable panel portion.

Another object of this invention is to provide an overcap which includes a rim and wherein the rim is of a suitable construction to function as a fulcrum in the final tearing out of a removable panel portion.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel overcap which is particularly adapted for full open ends but at the same time may be applied to ends opened with a conventional can opener and still utilize the protective and convenient features thereof.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary top perspective View 0f an easy opening container having applied thereto an overcap in accordance with this invention, the overcap being partially broken away and shown in section.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary top perspective View of the container of FIGURE l on a reduced scale .with the panel of the overcap removed and shows the final stage of the opening of the container.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 and shows specifically the details of the overcap and the relationship thereof to the container.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 2 and shows the manner in which a rim of the overcap functions as a fulcrurn in the nal remo-val of a removable panel portion.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary top perspective -view on a reduced scale of a container and overcap combination showing a slightly modified form of overcap.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5 and shows the specific details of a hinge connection between the overcap panel and rim.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through still another form of overcap construction and shows the specific details thereof.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 4 a conventional container in the form of a can 10. The can 10 includes a conventional body 11 which has the lower end thereof closed in any conventional manner. The upper end of the body 11 is closed by means of a conventional type of easy opening end, which end is generally identilied by the numeral 12 and is of the lfull open type. The can end 12 is secured to the body 11 by means of a conventional double seam 13 which projects radially outwardly of the body 11 at the upper end thereof. The can end 12 includes a chuck wall 14, which forms part of the double seam. The chuck wall surrounds an end panel 15 which has a peripheral weakening line formed therein in the form of a score 16. The score 16 defines a removable panel portion 17.

It is to be understood that the removable panel portion 17 constitutes substantially all of the end panel 15. Furthermore, the removable panel portion 15 may be torn from the end panel 15 in the opening of the can 10. In order to facilitate the tearing out of the removable panel portion 17, the removable panel portion 17 is provided with an integral rivet 18 which is utilized to secure thereto a pull tab 20. The pull tab 20 is positioned to engage a predetermined portion of the score line 16 so as to initiate the rupture of the end panel 15 along the score line 16, followed 'by the complete tearing out of the removable panel portion 17.

It will be readily apparent that in many instances the product packaged within the can 10 will not be used all at the same time. When the product is in the form of nuts or other readily storable products, it is merely necessary to provide the opened can with a simple type of overcap closure. This has been done in the past. However, the function of the overcap closure has been limited merely to that of a closure. In accordance with this invention, there is provided an overcap, which is generally referred to by the numeral 21, which has numerous functions in addition to the closure function thereof.

The yovercap 21 includes a rim, which is generally referred to by the numeral 22, and a closure panel, which is generally referred to by the numeral Z3.

The rim 22, as is clearly shown in FIGURES 3 and 4,

.3 is of a generally U-shaped cross section and includes an outer ring portion 24, an inner ring portion 25 and an annular portion 26 connecting together the: inner and outer ring portions. These various portions of the rim 22 define an annular groove 19 of a configuration and size to snugly receive the upwardly projecting double seam 13.

In order to assure the interlocking of the rim 22 with the double seam 13, the lower part of the outer ring portion 24 is provided with a radially inwardly directed ange 27 which underlies the peripherally projecting portion of the double seam 13 to lock the rim 22 in place. At this time it is pointed out that the rim 22 is preferably formed of a resilient plastic material which may be readily deformed to facilitate the positioning thereof on the double seam 13. It is also to be noted that the fiange 27 is under- Cut as at 28 to facilitate the deformation of the rim 22.

At this time it is pointed out that the lower part of the inner ring portion 2S is configurated as at 29 to closely fit the underlying portion of the end panel 15. The inner ring portion 25 engages all of the end panel 15 outwardly of the score line 16 and has a radially inner surface generally aligned with the score line 16. Thus, when the removable panel portion 17 is torn from the end panel 15 in the opening of the can 10, the resultant raw edge defining the opening formed in the end panel 11S will be protected or guarded by the inner panel portion 25 of the rim 22.

The rim 22 also facilitates the final removal of the removable panel portion 17. As is clearly shown in FIG- URES 2 and 4, the removable panel portion 17 may be pulled over and around the rim 22 with the rirn 22 functioning as a fulcrnm to effect the final tearing out of the removable panel portion 17.

It is to be understood that the rim 22 will remain in place on the can during the opening thereof. Of course, it will be necessary to remove the closure panel 23 of the overcap 21.

The panel 23 preferably includes a thickened ycentral portion 30 which terminates in a thinner peripheral portion 31 which overlies the annular portion 26 of the rim 22. The panel 23 also includes a depending fiange 32 which snugly fits within the rim 22 in engagement with the inner ring portion 25 thereof. The panel 23 is locked in place by means of a rib and groove connection 33, as is clearly shown in FIGURE 3. While the rib is illustrated as being on the rim 22 and the groove as being formed in the flange 32, it is to 'be understood that these two components may be interchanged.

Reference is now made to FIGURES 5 and 6 wherein there is illustrated a slightly modified form of overcap construction. While the rim 22 and the panel 23 remain of the same construction, in order to prevent the accidental displacement of the panel 23, there is provided a hinge strap 34 forming a hinged connection between the panel 23 and the rirn 22.

It is pointed out that it is desirable that the hinge 34 be generally aligned with that portion of the end panel wherein the initial rupture along the score line 16 occurs. In other words, the pull tab should point generally towards the hinge strap 34. Thus, the panel 23 may be moved to an out of the way position as is shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, after which access to the pull tab 20 is readily obtainable and the pull tab may be utilized to initially effect rupture of the end panel 1S, followed by the complete tearing out of the removable panel portion 17.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 7 where there is illustrated a slightly modified form of overcap, which overcap is generally referred to by the numeral 40. The overcap 40, like the overcap 21, includes a rim, which is generally referred to by the numeral 41, and a panel, which is generally referred to by the numeral 42. The rim 41 is of the same general configuration as the rim 22 and includes an outer ring portion 43 and an inner ring portion 44 connected together by an annular portion 45. The outer ring portion 43 is also provided with a retaining flange 46 which locks beneath the projecting double seam 13.

The Iclosure panel 42 also generally resembles the panel 23 and includes a relatively thick central portion 47 which is generally surrounded by a thinner peripheral portion 48 which overlies the rim 41. In addition, the panel 42 has a depending ange 49 which engages the inner surface of the inner ring portion 44. However, thc overcap 40 differs from the overcap 21 in the interlocking o-f the panel 42 to the rim 41. In lieu of the interlocking connection 'being formed on the inner ring portion 44 and the flange 49, the panel 42 is provided with a depending peripheral flange 50 which has formed on the inner surface thereof an annular groove 51 which receives a projecting rib S2 carried by the outer ring portion 43. It is to be understood that the interlocking relationship between the outer ring portion 43 and the flange 50 may be reversed.

It is also to be understood that when desired the overcap 40 could be provided with a hinge strap, such as the hinge strap 34, so as to be of the same general configuration as the overcap 31 illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6.

It will be readily apparent from the foregoing that f' instead -of functioning solely as an auxiliary closure for the can 10, the overcap formed in accordance with this invention serves to generally protect or guard the resultant raw edge formed on the end panel after the removable panel portion is torn therefrom. Also, the rim thereof is so positioned relative to the weakening line formed in the end panel whereby it serves as a highly desirable fulcrum in the final tearing out of the removable panel portion.

Although the overcap -of this disclosure is primarily intended for use with an easy opening can of the full open type, it is to be understood that the same overcap could -be advantageously utilized with conventional can ends which are opened utilizing can openers. However, it may be necessary to remove the rim in addition to the panel when opening such cans. On the other hand, when the rim is re-applied to the open can, the inner ring portion thereof will adequately guard the raw edge resulting from the opening operation.

Although only several preferred embodiments of the invention have been specifically illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that minor additional variations may be made in the overcap construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An overcap for an end of a container having a peripheral projection adjacent the end thereof and a recessed end panel adapted to have a major portion thereof removed when opening the container, said overcap comprising a rim of U-shaped cross section adapted to be seated on a container in telescoped relation over a container projection, said rim including inner and outer ring portions connected by an annular portion, and a panel cooperating with said rim to form a complete cover, said panel and said rim having interlocking means releasably retaining said overcap in place.

2. The overcap of claim 1 wherein said panel has a depending flange engaging a radially inner surface of said inner ring portion to position said panel, and a peripheral portion overlying and seating on said annular portion.

3. The overcap of claim 2 wherein said interlocking means are on said inner ring portion and said depending fiange.

4. T-he overcap of claim 1 wherein said panel has a peripheral portion overlying and seating on said annular portion, and a depending peripheral flange engaging a radially outer surface of said outer ring portion,

5. The overcap of claim 4 wherein said interlocking means are on said depending peripheral ange and said outer ring portion.

6. The overcap of claim 1 wherein said outer ring portion terminates in a radially inwardly directed annular ange for locking said ring in place.

7. The overcap of claim 1 wherein said panel is hingedly attached to said rim.

8. An easy opening container comprising a body, an end secured to said body by means of an upstanding seam having portions thereof projecting radially outwardly beyond said body, said end having a recessed end panel, a peripheral weakening line in said end panel dening a removable panel portion, and an overcap, said overcap including a rim and a panel, said rim being of a U-shaped cross section and being telescoped over said seam, said rim including inner and outer ring portions connected together by an annular portion, said inner ring being seated on said end panel radially outwardly of said weakening line and having a radially inner surface aligned with said weakening line to function as a guard for a raw edge which results from the removal of said removable panel portion, and means releaseably interconnecting said overcappanel and rim to retain said overcap panel in a closure forming position.

9. The container of claim 8 wherein said end panel has an opening device for facilitating the removal of said removable panel portion starting at a predetermined point on said weakening line, and there is a hinge connection between said overcap panel and rim radially adjacent said predetermined point.

10. The container of claim 8 wherein said rim has sufficient rigidity to function as a -fulcrum in the nal tearing out of said removable panel portion.

Y 11. The container -of claim 8 wherein Said rim is for-med of a resilient plastic material and has a radially inwardly directed flange on said outer ring portion retaining said rim on said seam.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,372,832 3/1968 Yeater et al, 220-60 X THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

G. T. HALL, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 220-29, 60 

